Packing Up My Troubles …   "The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page." — Saint Augustine.  The travel bug is one bug I’d always love to succumb to, but sadly, it doesn't happen as often as I would like. As a child, my travel was restricted to Grandma’s house in Mumbai for vacations, and there was that one time when Dad took the family on a trip to Kolkata. A trip that is firmly etched in my mind is a college trip to Rajasthan because I almost didn’t go. My dearest departed dad was being his protective best and had to be convinced by others to let me loose for a few days. My honeymoon in Goa is a cherished memory. Goa never fails to lose its charm for me. I have holidayed there with and without the boys and have always returned feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. I also loved Kerala, and it was special because it was the last family vacation. I dread motion sickness, which I’m prone to, but lately the episodes seem to have reduced. Post...

  When Technology Took a Break   Rahul woke up and reached for his phone. He switched it on, but the screen would not light up. Exasperatedly, he called out, "Ma, my phone refuses to work." Suddenly, he realised that the fan too was not working. “What the hell!” he muttered to himself. Rahul desperately needed to read his WhatsApp messages. He jumped out of bed and went in search of his parents. They were out on the balcony enjoying the fresh air and digging into some papaya. Both sorely missed their morning cuppa, but ‘what cannot be cured must be endured,’ they firmly told themselves. Expecting a volcanic eruption, Ma broke the news to Rahul. As expected, Rahul was aghast. “Two days!” he exclaimed. “Two whole days without food and water!” Below, they could see people scurrying to buy essentials from the rapidly shutting grocery shops. Pa reassured Rahul, telling him that there was plenty of fruit in the house and they could subsist on that. They would have to be fru...